Joint structures for connecting prestressed concrete slabs having integral laterally extended mesh

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an improved concrete slab forming machine and further to a concrete slab forming machine having an improved sidemold member thereon operable to construct a concrete slab having unique sidewall construction with laterally extended wire mesh to provide for easy connection of adjoining pairs thereof. Still, more specifically, this invention relates to a sidemold structure having mesh guide bar means operable to produce concrete slabs having laterally extended mesh and providing new and novel means for adjoining adjacent concrete slabs through the use of the laterally extended mesh and other connecting means.

United States Patent Inventor Alexander 1L. Jncobm Saline, Kins.

Appl. No. 808,024

Filed Mar. 17, 1969 Patented Aug. 3, 1971 Assignee Hastings Dynamold Corporation Salim. Kane.

JOINT STRUCTURES FOR CONNECTING PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLABS HAVKNG INTEGRAL LATERALLY EXTENDED MESH 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs;

[1.8. Cl 52/432, 52/583 lnt.Cl. E041) U411, E04c 5/518 Field of Search 52/432, 437, 438, 431, 581, 712, 583;94/8, 17

Relerenees Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 974,868 11/1910 Ericsson 52/432 1,624,802 4/1927 Rebel] 52/432 1,751,050 3/1930 Nilsson.... 52/362 1,860,398 5/1932 Venzie 52/432 FOREIGN PATENTS 205,947 1957 Australia 52/432 558,708 1957 Belgium 52/438 Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Attorney-John H. Widdowson ABSTRACT: This invention relates to an improved concrete slab forming machine and further to a concrete slab forming machine having an improved sidemold member thereon operable to construct a concrete slab having unique sidewall construction with laterally extended wire mesh to provide for easy connection of adjoining pairs thereof. Still, more specifically, this invention relates to a sidemold structure having mesh guide bar means operable to produce concrete slabs having laterally extended mesh and providing new and novel means for adjoining adjacent concrete slabs through the use of the laterally extended mesh and other connecting means.

PATENTEUAUB 3m: 3,596,423

sum 1 OF 2 IN V ENTOR.

ALEXANDER L. JACOBUS PATENTEU AUG 3|9?! SHEET 2 BF 2 I N VENTOR.

ALEXANDER L. JACOBUS a 11/ RNE'YS JOINT STRUCTURES FOR CUNNM'HNG lhhhllhllidbhl) CONCRETE SLAMS HAVllhltG lN'llEiGWtlL hih'llllilldllill if EXTENDED h lhsilll This invention relates to an improvement over a copending patent application entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD OF FORMHNG CON'llNUOUS llRES'lRESSED CONCRETE SLABS," US. Pat. No. 3,457,687.

Numerous types of concrete slab forming machines are known in the prior art operable to produce reinforced concrete slabs in various shapes, such as l-beams, T-beams, etc., however, the prior art devices are not operable to produce a continuous concrete slab formed with laterally extended reinforcing or mesh material usable to be readily connected to adjoining concrete slabs to achieve a uniform end product having the utmost in resultant strength. Additionally, the prior art slab forming machines are structurally complicated, limited in usage, and will not operate to automatically produce the desired prestressed, reinforced concrete slabs.

in accordance with the present invention, an improved concrete slab forming machine is provided having a new and novel sidemold means operable to produce concrete slabs on a forming bed having laterally extended reinforcing mesh or the like for interconnecting adjacent ones thereof in the final end usage. More specifically, the sidemold means includes a pair of sidemold assemblies, each connected to the concrete slab forming machine so as to be engageable with the sidewall sections of the concrete slabs being formed as specifically set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,457,687. Each sidemold assembly includes spaced upper and lower plates interconnected by front and back plates with the front plate having a laterally extended arcuate mold forming portion integral therewith. A connector plate is attached to the bottom plate to interconnect a sealing means therebetween operable to provide a seal between the forming bed and the internal portion of the slab forming machine. The sidemold assembly further includes a removable mesh guide bar engageable with a spacer plate mounted on the top plate and held in a clamped position as by a plurality of spaced holddown amemblies. The mesh guide bar is provided with a plurality of spaced handle members operable to remove the same as required for cleansing purposes. The mesh guide bar is connected on a top surface through an anchor base and an adjustable coupling assembly to each of the holddown assemblies. Each adjustable coupling assembly provides a nut member operable to regulate the downward pressure against the removable mesh guide bar to regulate the proper distance for clamping action of the respective holddown assemblies. Each holddown assembly is a conventional cam-type lever means having a handle member movable from between upper and lower positions to clamp and release the removable mesh guide bar against the upper spacer plate. A predetermined distance is maintained between the guide bar and the top plate in the clamped condition so as to receive mesh therebetween on forming the continuous concrete slab.

On using the sidemold means of this invention, a concrete slab is formed having a unique outer upright sidewall with reinforcing mesh extended from the upper surface thereof. The contour of the sidewalls of the concrete slab are so provided so as to be placed in adjoining relation with another concrete slab so that the lower edges are abutting and a unique and novel loch hey joint is formed therehetween. The adjoining laterally attended mesh can then be interconnected as by (l a continuous splice strip joint connected thereto as by tying; (2 the use of overlapping laterally extended mesh from each concrete slab and a splice formed therebetween; or (3 a specific mesh connector strip having an upper main body and a plurality of downwardly depending hook portions engageable with respective ones of the adjacent laterally extended mesh in the concrete slabs. Additionally, it is obvious that a plurality of various designs could be produced through the concrete slab forming machine of this invention, each provided with laterally extended mesh and the sidewalls of this disclosure which can be interconnected having the lock key joint design area filled with a grouting material to achieve a product which is attractive in appearance of utmost strength due to the new and novel features of the final joint achieved.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved concrete slab forming machine to construct continuous joint structures overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages of m the prior art devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved concrete slab forming machine operable to form a prestressed reinforced concrete slab of indefinite length having a new and novel upright sidewall connecting configuration structure.

Still, another object of this invention is to provide a concrete slab forming machine operable to produce elongated concrete slabs having laterally extended reinforcing mesh so as to provide a unique means of interconnecting adjacent concrete slabs.

One other object of this invention is to provide a concrete slab forming machine operable to produce concrete slabs having unique sidewall configurations operable for cooperation with the adjoining sidewall of similar concrete slabs to form a continuous joint structure of ultimate strength with vertical and lateral stability.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel configuration of concrete slab joints having interconnected and laterally extending mesh.

One last object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and concrete joints involving the use of a concrete slab forming machine to produce elongated concrete slabs having new and novel connecting means with a minimum amount of cost, production steps, and effort thereby resulting in a substantial savings in manpower, material, and labor.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a concrete slab forming machine mounted on a working bed having a portion broken away to illustrate the sidemold means of this invention used to produce continuous elongated concrete slabs;

FIG. 2 is a sectionalized enlarged perspective view of the sidemold means of this invention shown as constructing a unique contour joint structure of this invention;

FIG. 3 I is a fragmentary sectional view of the sidemold means of this invention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. l; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary elevational sectional views of a concrete slab illustrating first and second embodiments of the concrete joint structures of this invention;

PM. o is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a concrete joint structure of this invention having portions thereof broken away for clarity; and

Fit]. 7 is an elevational sectional view of a fourth embodiment, a concrete joint structure of this invention.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new improved concrete slab forming machine of this invention and the concrete joints achieved therefrom, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structures. it is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. 1, a concrete slab forming machine, indicated generally at 16, is operable to produce prestressed, reinforced hollow cored concrete slabs lb of substantially unlimited length on a longitudinally extended bed or pallet $3. Preferably, the pallet 23 is formed with a main supporting base 2d rigidly anchored to a correspondingly elongated concrete base 26 and having a laterally extended angle iron member 28 so as to provide a support surface and a grasping edge to the machine 16. More particularly, the concrete slab forming machine 116 includes a heavy duty support frame 29 having a pair of elongated upright sidewalls 31 interconnected to a plurality of spaced U- shaped support beams 34 of rectangular, tubular shape in transverse cross section. For added rigidity, longitudinally extended tubular members 36 and 38 are connected to each respective sidewall 31 and adjacent vertical portions of the support beams 34 to add substantial horizontal stability thereto. A sidemold means 39 connected to the respective sidewalls 31 includes a pair of sidemold assemblies 41 and 42 operable to form the vertical outer contour of a slab sidewall 44 of the concrete slab 18 to be fonned on the pallet 23 as will be explained in detail. A complete detailed structural description of the slab fonning machine 16 including its use, operation, and electrical controls therefor is fully set forth in the copending application entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD OF FORMING CONTINUOUS PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLABS," Ser. No. 587,04l filed Oct. I7, 1966, now US. Pat-No. 3,457,687, and it is deemed that further discussion herein on the operations of the concrete slab forming machine 16 is not necessary. The applicants improved version of concrete slab forming machine 16 is substantially identical to that described in the copending application except having the new and novel sidemold means 39 connected thereto to achieve the contour design of the concrete slab 18 being formed. As the sidemold assemblies 41 and 42 are substantially identical, only one need be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sidemold assembly 42 includes a main base assembly 46 operably connected to a cover and clamp means 47. The main base assembly 46 includes top and bottom plate members 49 and 51 interconnected as by a backplate 53 and a contoured front plate 54 as by welding or the like. The backplate 53 is connected by bolt members 56 to the sidewall 31 of the machine 16 at predetermined spacing therealong to provide the necessary rigidity. The front plate 54 is formed with a generally upright section 58 integral with an upwardly outwardly angular portion 60 which is connected to the lower surface of the top plate members 49. An intermediate portion of the upright section 58 is provided with an arcuate projection 61 adapted to form an important concave curvature in the final concrete slab 18. It is seen that a plurality of strut plates 63, 64, and 65 are provided welded to the adjoining surfaces thereof to provide substantial rigidity to the overall main base assembly 46. Additionally, a spacer plate 68 is mounted upon the upper surface of the top, plate member 49 leaving a spacer area 70 between the same and the inner edge of the top plate member 49 for reasons to be explained. An attachment plate 73 is secured to the bottom surface of the bottom plate member 51 as by a plurality of bolt members 75 and is provided with a sealing means 76 mounted therein.

More specifically, the sealing means 76 is preferably constructed of an irregular shape having an upper connector base 78 and a downwardly extended wiper portion 79. It is seen that the wiper portion 79 is engageable with an upright projection 81 an the working bed 23 so as to prevent concrete material to be formed thereon from extending past the projection 81 into the other parts of the slab forming machine 16.

The cover and clamp means 47 includes a holddown as- I sembly 83 interconnected as by an adjustable coupling assembly 85 to a baseplate 86 secured as by welding to a removable mesh guide bar 88. The mesh guide bar 88 is an elongated plate structure engageable with the top surface of the spacer plate 68 and the top, plate member 49 and extended the width and length of the top plate member 49 to provide the spacer area 70 therebetween. The mesh guide bar 88 is provided with a stepped section 90 whereupon various sizes of spacer slots 68 may be used or it may be deleted to achieve variable extensions of the reinforcing mesh as will become obvious. Additionally, the guide bar 88 is provided with a plurality of spaces handle members 89 in order to provide a means for lifting for removal during cleaning operations. The adjustable coupling assembly 85 includes a base block 91 secured to the baseplate 86 and connected by a rotatable actuator shaft 93 threadably mounted therein for reasons to be explained.

The holddown assembly 83 includes a main connector block 95 secured as by a plurality of bolt members 96 to the respective upper tubular members 36 and 38 and having the inner surface connected by bolt members 98 to a clamp assembly 99 having an actuator handle 101 pivotally connected thereto. The clamp assembly 99 is preferably a cam type actuated to raise and lower the actuator shaft 93 and interconnected guide bar 88 and is locked in the downward position as shown in FIG. 3. The upward pivotal movement of the actuator handle 101 to the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 operates to raise the entire interconnected adjustable coupling assembly 85 and the guide bar 88.

In the use and operation of the improved concrete slab forming machine 16 of this invention, it is obvious that the sidemold means 39 is readily connected to the upright sidewalls 31 as by the bolt members so as to provide the proper contour at the proportion forming the final concrete slab as clearly set forth in the aforementioned pending patent application. It is obvious that with the proper operation of the slab forming machine 16 and having the proper slump-type concrete material used therein, the concrete slab 18 is formed having the contour as clearly shown in FIG. 2 and wire mesh 104 is extended in the spacer area 70 so as to be laterally extended therefrom in the finished product as clearly shown. It is obvious that the dimensions of the spacer area 70 can be regulated to achieve a close fit depending on the thickness of the wire mesh 104 being used. It is noted that the upright side sections 58 of the front plates 54 are formed with angular degrees extended substantially 5 to 6 from a vertical alignment so as to form the desired contour.

On analyzing the sidewall contour of the concrete slab 18 being formed by the slipfonning machine 16 of this invention, the same is referred to as a lock key design joint 106 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. More specifically, each lock key design joint 106 includes a lower projection 107 integral with a J-portion 108, next an inclined sidewall portion 109 with an arcuate portion 111 therebetween and having an upper angle portion 112 integral with a top sidewall portion 114. The angle portion 112 is extended substantially 45 to a vertical axis. It is seen, therefore, that a pair of the concrete slabs 18 may be placed in abutting engagement whereupon the lower projections 107 are adjacent to form a seal therebetween. Also, the laterally extended wire mesh 104 placed within the lock key design joint 106 can be interconnected in a most economical and highly efficient manner.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the laterally extended mesh 104 from abutting concrete slabs 18 may be interconnected as by an elongated strip of continuous spliced joint connector mesh 115 which is placed on the upper surface of v the parallel adjacent laterally extended wire mesh 104 and connected thereto as by wire strips 117. Next, the entire area is filled with a grout material preferably of high strength concrete or the like to achieve the contour as shown to provide the utmost in lateral and vertical stability.

Another embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, being a lap mesh joint 121 including the similarly abutting concrete slabs 18 to form the lock key design joint 106 therebetween. However, the mesh 104 is extended laterally a greater distance whereupon the same is interconnected as by wire strip members or welding to provide rigid structure.

A third embodiment of a joint is shown in FIG. 6 wherein a channel mesh joint 123 if formed as by having elongated mesh connector strip assembly 125 operable to interconnect adjacent laterally extended mesh 104 on the adjoining concrete slabs 18. More specifically, the mesh connector strip assembly 125 is provided with a plurality of parallel spaced elongated rod members 126 interconnected at spaced axial positions therealong as by book members 128 through welding or the like. More specifically the hook members 128 are of a somewhat U-shape having a base section 130 and integral leg portions 131. The elongated rod members 126 are spaced a distance operable to provide an anchor abutting with similar parallel longitudinal members 133 on the reinforcing mesh 104 so as to provide lateral stability thereto..lt is seen that the angular relationship of the leg portions H31 operate to grasp the adjacent reinforcing mesh R04 to pull the same together to make a highly efficient and sturdy final channel mesh joint 123.

As shown in H6. 7, it is obvious that various T-sections, double T-sections, and the like can be formed through the use of the concrete slab forming machine 16 of this invention operable to form such concrete structures with laterally extended mesh 104 therefrom.

The concrete slab forming machine of this invention results in a self-propelled machine operable to produce an elongated concrete, prestressed, reinforced slab of indefinite length and shape. The machine is self-propelled having a means for moving the same continuously and gradually and down an elon gated pallet. Additionally, the concrete slab forming machine of this invention is operable to efficiently and effectively produce concrete slabs having laterally extended integral mesh readily connectable to adjacent slabs in a most efficient and effective way providing the utmost in resultant vertical and lateral stability in the finished product.

Also, it is seen that the concrete slabs formed by the concrete slab forming machine of this invention results in forming interconnected joints having the most highly efficient and economical contour with means for adjoining adjacent concrete slabs in the most etficient manner.

It will be apparent from the foregoing preferred specific embodiments of the applicant's concrete slab forming machine, the same provides simple means for producing an elongated prestressed reinforced concrete slab having laterally extended connector means molded therein. The slab construction eliminates a great deal of time consuming tedious work involved in producing an interconnecting elongated concrete slab whereby monetary savings are achieved both in material and manpower.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this invention is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

lclaim:

ll. A continuous spliced concrete joint to be formed through abutting concrete slabs having laterally extended reinforcing mesh therein, comprising:

a. a pair of elongated abutting concrete slab members, each having a contour design sidewall in spaced relationship;

b. said contour sidewall to form a substantially key-shaped design area between said abutting sidewalls of said concrete slabs;

c. means for interconnecting said laterally extending mesh from said abutting concrete slabs;

(1. said key-shaped area filled with a grouting material; and

e. said connecting means having elongated continuous mesh material interconnected to said laterally extended reinforcing mesh on said abutting concrete slab through wirestrip members, and said connecting means embedded in said key-shaped area when finally formed.

A continuous spliced concrete joint comprising:

a pair of elongated abutting concrete slab members, each having a contour design sidewall in spaced relationship to form a key-shaped area therebetween;

b. means for interconnecting said laterally extending mesh from said abutting concrete slabs;

c. said key-shaped area filled with a grouting material;

d. said connecting means being a channel mesh joint struc ture c. said channel joint structure having a plurality of elongated parallel rod members interconnected in spaced relationship along its axis by hook members; and

f. said channel mesh joint structure placed over said laterally extended reinforcing mesh of said concrete slabs whereupon said hook members are positively engaged therewith. i 3. A continuous spliced concrete oint as described in claim 2, wherein:

a. said hook members of a generally U-shape having a main body portion and integral leg portion at opposite ends thereof; and

b. said leg portions engage said reinforcing mesh from said concrete slabs in a clamping relationship to provide a neat appearing, rigid structure. 

1. A continuous spliced concrete joint to be formed through abutting concrete slabs having laterally extended reinforcing mesh therein, comprising: a. a pair of elongated abutting concrete slab members, each having a contour design sidewall in spaced relationship; b. said contour sidewall to form a substantially key-shaped design area between said abutting sidewalls of said concrete slabs; c. means for interconnecting said laterally extending mesh from said abutting concrete slabs; d. said key-shaped area filled with a grouting material; and e. said connecting means having elongated continuous mesh material interconnected to said laterally extended reinforcing mesh on said abutting concrete slab through wire-strip members, and said connecting means embedded in said key-shaped area when finally formed.
 2. A continuous spliced concrete joint comprising: a. a pair of elongated abutting concrete slab members, each having a contour design sidewall in spaced relationship to form a key-shaped area therebetween; b. means for interconnecting said laterally extending mesh from said abutting concrete slabs; c. said key-shaped area filled with a grouting material; d. said connecting means being a channel mesh joint structure e. said channel joint structure having a plurality of elongated parallel rod members interconnected in spaced relationship along its axis by hook members; and f. said channel mesh joint structure placed over said laterally extended reinforcing mesh of said concrete slabs whereupon said hook members are positively engaged therewith.
 3. A continuous spliced concrete joint as described in claim 2, wherein: a. said hook members of a generally U-shape having a main body portion and integral leg portion at opposite ends thereof; and b. said leg portions engage said reinforcing mesh from said concrete slabs in a clamping relationship to provide a neat appearing, rigid structure. 